Guwahati’s myths and history are extended to several thousands of years. Although a specific time of the city’s origin is unknown, with reference from the epics, puranas and from the pages of the explored history, it can be concluded that it is one among the ancient cities in Asia.

Epigraphic sources place capitals of many ancient kingdoms in Guwahati. It was the capital of the mythological kings Naraka and Bhagadatta (reference in the Mahabharata). The ancient sakti temple of Kamakhya in the Nilacol (Nilachal) hill (also important seat of tantric and Vajrayana Buddhism), Nobogroho (Navagraha), the nine planets temple (ancient and a unique temple for astrology) located in Citracol (Chitrachal) Hill and archeological remains in Boxisto (Basista) and many other locations support the mythological characters and the city’s ancient past.

The Ambari excavations trace the city to the 6th century AD. The city was known as Pragjyotishpura and Durjoya in different periods of time and was the capital under the Varman and the Pala dynasties of the Kamarupa kingdom.

Descriptions by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) reveal that during the greatest Varman king Bhaskaravarma 7th century AD, the city was stretched to 19kms and probably was the principal base for his strong naval force (30,000 war-boats, with officers knowing details of the sea-routes in Indian Ocean to China - Xuanzang).

The city remained as the capital of Assam till 10-11th century AD under the rulers of the Pala dynasty. Excavations in Ambari and the brick walls and houses excavated during construction of the present auditorium of Cotton College, Guwahati suggest that it was a city of great size with economic and strategic importance till the 9-11th century AD.

In the medieval times, after weakening and destruction of the Kamata kingdom between the 12-15th century AD, the city lost its earlier glory and became only a strategic outpost of the then Koch Hajo and Ahom Kingdoms of western and eastern Assam. Later the western part of the Koch Kingdom fell to the Mughals and the eastern half became an Ahom protectorate.

Although the actual border between both the powers (Ahoms and Mughals) kept fluctuating between Kartoya river (now in North Bengal) to Manas river and Barnadi river time to time, Guwahati became the actual war-front (as the outpost of importance). The city was the seat of the Borphukan, the civil and military authority of the lower Assam region appointed by the Ahom kings.

Mughals attacked Assam for 17 times and many a times temporarily Guwahati fell to them. The Battle of Saraighat fought close to Guwahati in 1671 is the most famous and known war, in which the Mughals faced severe defeat due to strong leadership of Lacit (Lachit) Borphukan and hard work of Assamese Army.

There are a number of historic features in Guwahati. The Digholy Pukhury (Dighali Pukhuri) is a rectangular lake that was connected to the Brahmaputra, and was an ancient boat yard, which was probably also used by the Ahoms in the medieval times. Moreover, there are many tanks, temples, ramparts, etc. in the city. The most important archeological site is the Ambari excavation site close to Digholy Pukhury.